Many challenges as new FCA CEO Mike Manley looks to repeat Jeep magic

Mark Phelan Detroit Free Press Published 6:50 p.m. UTC Jul 21, 2018 Jeep rides to the rescue again, as brand boss Mike Manley takes the reins of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, following a post-op health crisis for legendary CEO Sergio Marchionne. Manley has led Jeep to an unprecedented period of success, broadening the iconic brand’s product line, adding sales and production around the world and generating profits beyond analysts’ wildest expectations. A lanky Brit with a dry wit, the 54-year-old Manley is beloved by Jeep engineers and trusted by the brand’s famously demanding customers. Leading the brand since 2009, Manley internalized Jeep’s values as it added new models and soared to record sales. Accepting a Free Press Automotive Leadership Award for Jeep’s success in 2016, Manley led a cadre of tieless Jeep designers and engineers into the banquet room with a shrug and a grin: “It’s a Jeep thing.” He added responsibility for FCA’s other money machine, Ram trucks in 2015. Global success Manley also led FCA’s Asia-Pacific business and ran the Chrysler Group’s international operations, experience that will stand him in good stead as the company looks to make up for lost time in China and other developing markets. Equally at home at a black-tie dinner or a Jeep event in rugged wilderness, Manley will have to execute the ambitious five-year business plan Marchionne laid out June 1. Fortunately, he was one of the plan’s architects. Jeep and Ram are pillars of the strategy, ensuring that Chrysler’s Auburn Hills tech… [Read full story]